widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fenders—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite reforms in Zambia, Ghana, and Egypt, fuel subsidies remain widespread across Africa—leaving import-reliant nations' public finances at the mercy of external shocks, instead of freeing up funds for infrastructure and public services.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
This widespread deployment means AI's influence extends far beyond individual users to shape broader economic and social systems that affect everyone, regardless of their personal technology adoption.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Following the release of his Stick Season album, which would hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and see its title track hit No. 9 on the Hot 100, Kahan found himself firmly in the spotlight, receiving widespread acclaim and even a Grammy nomination for best new artist.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Cuba continues to suffer widespread shortages of food and medicine, a collapsing economy and unrelenting state surveillance.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
This widespread deployment means AI's influence extends far beyond individual users to shape broader economic and social systems that affect everyone, regardless of their personal technology adoption.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Following the release of his Stick Season album, which would hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and see its title track hit No. 9 on the Hot 100, Kahan found himself firmly in the spotlight, receiving widespread acclaim and even a Grammy nomination for best new artist.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Cuba continues to suffer widespread shortages of food and medicine, a collapsing economy and unrelenting state surveillance.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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